Station for checking tyres

ABSTRACT

A method for checking tyres, includes: arranging a tyre in a station for checking tyres; moving a sensor within the tyre; performing first checks on an inner surface of the tyre with the at least one sensor; engaging a radially outer portion of the tyre with grip elements of an overturning device; extracting the sensor from the tyre and spacing the sensor from the tyre; overturning the tyre by 180° by rotation of the grip elements; moving again the sensor within the tyre; performing second checks on the inner surface of the tyre with the sensor; extracting again the sensor from the tyre and spacing the sensor from the tyre; and transporting the tyre outside the station for checking tyres.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a station for checkingtyres.

The present invention preferably falls within the field of processes andapparatuses for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

In particular, the present invention falls within the scope of qualitychecks carried out on preferably moulded and vulcanised tyres, adaptedto verify the compliance thereof with the project specifications andtherefore allow the compliant ones to be sent to storage and thedefective ones to be discarded.

A tyre for vehicle wheels generally comprises a carcass structurecomprising at least one carcass ply having end flaps engaged withrespective annular anchoring structures. A belt structure is associatedin a radially outer position to the carcass structure, comprising one ormore belt layers, arranged in radial superposition with respect to eachother and with respect to the carcass ply, having textile or metallicreinforcing cords with crossed orientation and/or substantially parallelto the circumferential development direction of the tyre. A tread bandis applied in a position radially outer to the belt structure, also madeof elastomeric material like other semi-finished products making up thetyre. The assembly of at least said belt structure and said tread bandform the crown structure of the tyre. Respective sidewalls ofelastomeric material are further applied on the lateral surfaces of thecarcass structure, each extending from one of the lateral edges of thetread band up at the respective annular anchoring structure to thebeads. In “tubeless” tyres, the carcass ply is internally coated by apreferably butyl-based layer of elastomeric material, usually calledliner having optimal airtight characteristics and extending from one tothe other of the beads.

The production cycles of a tyre provide for a building process in whichthe various structural components of the tyre itself are made and/orassembled on one or more drums. The built green tyres are transferred toa moulding and vulcanisation line where a moulding and vulcanisationprocess is carried out to define the structure of the tyre according toa desired geometry and tread pattern.

Preferably after vulcanisation, the tyres are subjected to qualitychecks in order to check for any defects.

Definitions

By the term “check” referring to tyres we generally mean all thosenon-destructive operations that allow detecting any external (onradially outer and/or radially inner surfaces) and/or internal (withinthe structure) defects of the tyre. Said checks may, for example, be ofthe optical type (photography, shearography, holography, radiography,etc.), ultrasound or mechanical or a combination thereof.

By “high definition check” of the tyre it is meant a check having adefinition in each spatial direction (for example of a Cartesian triad)smaller than or equal to 0.05 mm, preferably smaller than or equal to0.01 mm.

By “low definition check” it is meant a check having a definition ineach spatial direction (for example of a Cartesian triad) greater than0.05 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, more preferablycomprised between about 0.3 mm and about 5 mm.

The terms “lower”, “higher”, “low”, “high”, “below” and “above” identifythe relative position of an element, such as a component of a tyre, atyre, an apparatus, a device, etc., with respect to the ground or of oneof said elements with respect to another element.

“Rotation axis of the tyre” means the axis around which the tyre rotateswhen it is operating i.e. installed on a vehicle and rolls on the road.

The terms “radial” and “axial” and the expressions “radiallyinner/outer” and “axially inner/outer” are used referring to a directionperpendicular and a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre,respectively.

A plane is defined as “radial” when it includes the rotation axis of thetyre.

The term “symmetry plane of the tyre” (unless there are differences dueto the tread pattern) indicates the plane orthogonal to the rotationaxis of the tyre and equidistant from the beads of the tyre itself.

The terms “circumferential” and “circumferentially” are instead usedwith reference to the annular development direction of the tyre.

The term “half of the tyre” refers to the axial halves of the tyre, i.e.the halves delimited by the symmetry plane.

“At least one half of the tyre” means a complete half as defined aboveplus, possibly, a further portion of the other half extending axiallystarting from the aforementioned symmetry plane.

By “outer surface” or “inner surface” of the tyre or portions thereof itis meant the surface intended to remain visible after the coupling ofthe tyre with its own mounting rim and the one intended to be no longervisible after said coupling, respectively. The inner and outer surfacedelimit the tyre.

“Interior of the tyre” or “inner volume of the tyre” means the spacewhich is no longer visible after the coupling of the tyre with its ownmounting rim.

Prior Art

Document WO2016/088040, on behalf of the same Applicant, illustrates amethod and an apparatus for checking tyres. The apparatus comprises afirst check unit having an inlet for the tyres and comprising aplurality of checking tools; a second check unit having an outlet forthe tyres and comprising a plurality of checking tools; an overturningand transport device operatively interposed between the first check unitand the second check unit. The first check unit, the second check unitand the overturning and transport device define a check path configuredso as to be traversed by pitches by each tyre. The first check unit andthe second check unit comprise the same checking tools configured forperforming the same checks on respective axial halves of the tyres.

Document DE102008037356 illustrates a system for testing tyres forquality control purposes and for reducing safety risks. These testsallow the recognition of defective points. The system comprises areading device for reading an identifier adapted to identify the tyre, atransport system provided with a plurality of transport sections fortransporting the tyres along a transport direction, at least one testingdevice and at least one control device adapted to control the readingdevice, the transport system and the testing device. The transportsystem is provided with a plurality of sensors which detect the presenceof a tyre in the transport sections. The control device is configuredfor recording the position of the tyre in the transport sections and fortracking the movement of the tyre. In an embodiment of this document,two testing devices arranged sequentially and designed to test the tyresby different measurement methods are shown.

Document WO2014/145258 illustrates a machine for testing tyrescomprising a lower mandrel provided with a lower half-portion of a rim,an upper mandrel provided with an upper half-portion of a rim and anactuator configured for varying the distance between the lower mandreland the upper mandrel along a vertical axis, for engaging the tyrebeads. The tyre is then inflated and rotated while an outer peripheralportion thereof is pressed against an element which simulates the roadsurface.

Document US20160225128 illustrates a tyre inspection line comprising amacroscopic inspection station and a microscopic inspection station. Themacroscopic inspection station is configured for acquiring at least onemacroscopic image of the tyre, comparing it with a reference image anddetecting possible deviations from the standard tyre. The microscopicinspection station is configured for acquiring at least one microscopicimage of the inner or outer pattern of the tyre to compare it with arepresentative image of a tyre reference surface or to analyse saidmicroscopic image acquired with processing algorithms. Each of thestations includes a motor for rotating the tyre and image acquisitiondevices. The microscopic inspection station comprises a first stationand a second station and a tyre overturning device located between thefirst station and the second station for acquiring images of a firstsemi-half and a second semi-half of the tyre.

SUMMARY

In the field of automated apparatus for checking tyres coming from aproduction line, the Applicant has felt the need to reduce the space andtime required for carrying out the checks.

The Applicant has in fact observed that the apparatuses for checkingtyres of the type described above, extend along very long paths andcarry out a plurality of checks by means of separate devices arranged ina sequence along the aforementioned paths.

The Applicant has also observed that the same apparatuses for checkingtyres adopt dedicated devices for checking the tyres and devices whichare distinct and located in different positions formanaging/moving/orienting the tyres according to the checks to beperformed.

The Applicant then observed that the same apparatuses for checking tyresoccupy large spaces and that such spaces are often not available in thestructures and plants used for the placement of the tyre productionlines. The Applicant therefore perceived the need to perform suchautomated checks in contained spaces, so as to be able to easily placethe apparatuses dedicated to such checks at the tyre production sites.

The Applicant has observed that this problem appears even more relevantconsidering that the checks on the tyres produced must suitably providefor low definition and high definition checks to prevent damage to thecheck devices themselves. In fact, it is advisable to perform a completelow-definition preliminary check of the whole tyre, so as to know thesize and shape thereof with certainty and prepare it for thehigh-definition check or checks carried out subsequently or discard itif it does not meet certain requirements, thus preventing possibledamage to devices responsible for high-definition checks.

The Applicant has also perceived the need to perform these checks in ashort time and generally compatible with the cycle time of an upstreamproduction line.

Finally, the Applicant has found that the use of a single checkingstation in which a first half of the tyre is subjected to the aforesaidchecks, before overturning it and performing the same checks on a secondhalf of the same tyre, allows performing a complete analysis at least inlow definition in a contained space, solving the above problems.

According to a first aspect thereof, the present invention relates to astation for checking tyres.

Preferably, a support structure is provided, delimiting an operatingspace configured for receiving a tyre.

Preferably, an overturning device is provided, having grip elementsconfigured for engaging a radially outer portion of the tyre.

Preferably, the overturning device is operative within said operatingspace and is configured for overturning the tyre around an overturningaxis perpendicular to a rotation axis of the tyre while the tyre issituated in said operating space.

Preferably, a checking device is provided, comprising a mechanical armand at least one sensor associated with said mechanical arm, whereinsaid mechanical arm is operatively active within the operating space.

Preferably, said mechanical arm is configured for carrying said at leastone sensor at least partially within the tyre for executing checks on aninner surface of the tyre housed in the operating space.

According to a second aspect thereof, the present invention relates to amethod for checking tyres.

Preferably, it is provided to arrange a tyre in a station for checkingtyres.

Preferably, it is provided to carry at least one sensor within the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to execute first checks on an inner surfaceof the tyre by means of said at least one sensor.

Preferably, it is provided to engage a radially outer portion of thetyre with grip elements of an overturning device.

Preferably, it is provided to extract at least one sensor from the tyreand space said at least one sensor from the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to overturn the tyre by 180° by means of arotation of the grip elements around an overturning axis perpendicularto a rotation axis of the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to carry said least one sensor again withinthe tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to execute second checks on the inner surfaceof the tyre by means of said at least one sensor.

Preferably, it is provided to extract at least one sensor from the tyreand space said at least one sensor from the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to carry the tyre outside the station forchecking tyres.

The Applicant believes that the station according to the presentinvention has a compact structure and such as to allow easy installationthereof also within existing structures and plants used for theproduction of tyres.

The Applicant further believes that the station according to the presentinvention allows carrying out a plurality of checks in a contained spaceand in short times, generally compatible with the cycle time of anupstream production line.

According to a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates toan apparatus for checking tyres.

Preferably, a first check unit is provided, having an inlet for thetyres and comprising a first plurality of checking tools.

Preferably, a second check unit is provided, having an outlet for thetyres and comprising a second plurality of checking tools.

Preferably, an overturning and transport device is provided, operativelyinterposed between the first check unit and the second check unit.

Preferably, the first check unit, the second check unit and theoverturning and transport device define a check path configured so as tobe traversed by pitches by each tyre.

Preferably, the first check unit and the second check unit areconfigured for executing high-definition checks on at least respectivehalves of the tyres.

Preferably, the apparatus for checking tyres comprises a station forchecking tyres according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, said station is placed immediately upstream of the firstcheck unit and is configured for executing a low-definition checking ofthe tyres before the entrance into the first check unit.

According to another aspect thereof, the present invention relates to aprocess for checking tyres.

Preferably, it is provided to simultaneously advance, by pitches, tyresalong a check path and check, during time intervals situated betweensubsequent pitches, said tyres.

Preferably, for each of the tyres, it is provided to check at least onefirst half of the tyre by executing a plurality of high-definitionchecks along a first part of the check path.

Preferably, for each of the tyres, it is provided to overturn said tyrearound an overturning axis after the exit from said first part of thecheck path.

Preferably, for each of the tyres, it is provided to conduct said tyreto the inlet of a second part of the check path.

Preferably, for each of the tyres, it is provided to check at least onesecond half of said tyre by executing the same plurality ofhigh-definition checks along said second part of the check path.

Preferably, prior to the entrance into the first part of the check path,it is provided to execute the method for checking tyres according to thesecond aspect of the invention for executing a preliminarylow-definition check of the tyres prior to said high-definition checks.

The Applicant believes that the present invention allows executing acomplete preliminary low-definition check of the whole tyre, so as toknow the size and shape thereof with certainty and arrange it forhigh-definition check or checks carried out in units placed downstreamof the station according to the invention or discard it if it does notmeet predetermined requirements.

In particular, according to the Applicant, the station and the method ofthe invention allow identifying tyres with macro-defects (such asbubbles and/or internal and/or external detachments generated duringvulcanisation) and preventing them from being subjected to thesubsequent high definition checks.

The Applicant further believes that the station according to the presentinvention allows carrying out a plurality of checks in a contained spaceand in short times, generally compatible with the cycle time of ahigh-definition checking apparatus possibly placed downstream.

Finally, the Applicant believes that the station according to thepresent invention may also be configured as a stand-alone andindependent unit, both for a low-definition check and for ahigh-definition check of the tyres.

The present invention, in at least one of the above aspects thereof, canexhibit one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably, the overturning device is a gripper comprising a first armand a second arm movable in mutual approaching or moving apart.

Preferably, the grip elements comprising a first grip element situatedon a respective end of the first arm and a second grip element situatedon a respective end of the second arm.

The Applicant has verified that the gripper allows gripping and movingthe tyre without hindering the passage of the sensor, the positioningthereof within the tyre and the operation thereof.

The Applicant has verified that the gripper allows gripping and handlingtyres of different sizes and shapes.

Preferably, the grip elements are rotatable with respect to said firstarm and second arm around the overturning axis.

This structure allows limiting the dimensions and thus the overallfootprint of the station and the inertia involved in the overturning,since such an overturning is executed by rotating only the grip elementsand not the whole gripper.

Preferably, the gripper is movable along a direction parallel to therotation axis of the tyre.

Such a degree of freedom allows the tyre to be moved along such adirection and facilitate the overturning movement. This solution alsoallows reducing the size of the operating space and the station as awhole.

Preferably, the first grip element is motorised to rotate around theoverturning axis and the second grip element is free to rotate on thesecond arm.

Only one of the two grip elements is moved by a dedicated actuator whilethe other is dragged by the tyre.

Preferably, the gripper comprises a rotation detector operativelyconnected to the second grip element to detect the rotation thereof.

The detector allows understanding whether the overturning occurscorrectly or the tyre twists and/or is not correctly retained by thegripper.

Preferably, each of said first grip element and second grip elementcomprises a pair of reciprocally spaced cylinders configured forabutting against the radially outer portion of the tyre with its ownaxes parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre.

This structure of the grip elements allows handling tyres of verydifferent dimensions and shapes, obtaining the correct grip by thegripper.

Preferably, a grip member configured for engaging at least one tyre beadis provided.

Preferably, the grip member is operative within the operating space.

Preferably, the grip member is configured for supporting the tyre inabutment against a sidewall while situated in said operating space.

The grip member is capable of supporting the tyre in place of thegripper.

Preferably, the grip member comprises at least three projections,preferably four, parallel to a central axis thereof and movable betweena contracted position, in which they lie close together and close tosaid central axis, and a grip position, in which they lie spaced fromeach other and equidistant from the central axis, in order to engage thebead of the tyre.

Preferably, the grip member is movable along its central axis.

Such a degree of freedom allows the tyre to be moved along such adirection and facilitate the insertion and extraction of the sensor.

Preferably, the grip member comprises at least three support arms,preferably four, each carrying a respective projection.

Preferably, the projections are movable along the arms between thecontracted position and the grip position.

Preferably, said at least three support arms are angularly equidistant.

The arms act as a support and guide for the projections protruding fromsaid arms.

Preferably, a rotary device carrying the grip member is provided.

Preferably, the rotary device is configured for rotating the grip memberaround the central axis, preferably while the grip member is situated insaid operating space.

The rotation of the grip member allows keeping said at least one sensorfixed and rotate the tyre to execute the checks.

Preferably, an abutment plane for the tyre is provided.

Preferably, said abutment plane is perpendicular to the rotation axis ofthe tyre.

Preferably, said abutment plane faces the operating space.

The abutment surface allows the tyre to rest in the station before it istaken by the grip member or by the gripper.

Preferably, the abutment plane is defined by a motorised rollerconveyor. Preferably, the motorised roller conveyor comprises aplurality of driven rollers preferably mounted on the support structure.

Preferably, the abutment plane is defined by one or more conveyor belts.

Preferably, the abutment plane is movable along an advancement directionperpendicular to the rotation axis of the tyre and perpendicular to theoverturning axis.

The motorised roller conveyor or conveyor belt allow the tyre to bemoved along the advancement direction to be loaded into the station orunloaded from the station.

Preferably, the abutment plane has an opening configured for allowingthe passage of the grip member.

Preferably, the grip member is movable between a rest position, in whichit lies retracted into the opening, and an operating position, in whichit projects from the opening to engage the tyre.

When not in use, the grip member is taken out of the operating space toallow the tyre to overturn without interference. This solution alsoallows reducing the size of the operating space and the station as awhole.

Preferably, the opening is counter-shaped to the grip member.

In this way, the abutment plane is sufficiently extended to provide astable surface to the tyre.

Preferably, the mechanical arm of the checking device is movable along adirection parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre and along adirection perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tyre.

These degrees of freedom allow the sensor to be moved so that it doesnot hinder the overturning of the tyre and contain the dimensions,especially in height, of the support structure.

Preferably, the check device comprises at least one auxiliary sensorconfigured for executing checks on an outer surface of the tyre housedin the operating space.

Preferably, said at least one auxiliary sensor is mounted on the supportstructure.

Preferably, said at least one sensor and/or said at least one auxiliarysensor is an optical sensor, preferably an image detector.

Preferably, said at least one sensor and/or said at least one auxiliarysensor is a 3D scanner.

Preferably, said at least one sensor and/or said at least one auxiliarysensor comprises a camera and a laser emitter.

Preferably, said at least one sensor and/or said at least one auxiliarysensor has a definition ranging from about 0.05 mm to about 5 mm.

Such sensor(s) allow(s) the acquisition of low definition images for thepurpose of carrying out a preliminary check of the tyre.

Preferably, said at least one sensor and/or said at least one auxiliarysensor has a definition ranging from about 0.01 mm to about 0.05 mm.

Such sensor(s) allow(s) the acquisition of high definition images forthe purpose of carrying out a fine check of the tyre.

Preferably, the checking device comprises a code scanner, preferably barcode, configured for reading a code on the tyre.

Preferably, the code scanner is mounted on the support structure.

Preferably, the support structure has an inlet for the tyre.

Preferably, a measuring device is also provided, placed at the inlet andconfigured for detecting a diameter and an axial size of the tyre.

Preferably, the measuring device comprises an emitter and a receiverconfigured for generating an optical barrier through the inlet.

Preferably, the optical barrier develops in a plane perpendicular to theadvancement direction and parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre.

While the tyre passes through the optical barrier, the measuring devicedetects the axial size of the tyre according to the percentage of theoptical barrier that the tyre intercepts. Knowing the advancement speedof the tyre, that is, the speed of the support surface (of the rollersor of the conveyor belt), the measuring device detects the tyre diameteraccording to the time elapsing from when the tyre intercepts for thefirst time the optical barrier and to when it comes out thereofcompletely. Consequently, the position of the centre of the tyre becomesknown and the time at which to stop the advancement thereof can becalculated, since the centre of the grip member is known. Since therotation speed of the rollers is known, it is in fact possible to obtainthe time needed to align the centre of the tyre with the centre of thegrip member, making a preliminary centring in the direction ofadvancement of the tyre.

Preferably, the central axis of the grip member is vertical.

Preferably, the overturning device and the checking device are placedabove the grip member.

Preferably, the rotary device is placed partly below the abutment planeand the overturning device and the checking device are placed above theabutment plane.

Preferably, the support structure comprises a frame having a lowerportion configured for being rested on the ground and an upper portion,wherein the operating space is delimited between the abutment plane andthe upper portion.

Preferably, the mechanical arm is constrained to the upper portion andprotrudes towards the abutment plane.

Preferably, the overturning device is constrained to one side of theframe.

Preferably, the gripper extends cantilevering from said side of theframe.

Preferably, it is provided to engage a bead of the tyre with a gripmember in order to lock the tyre on the grip member, after havingarranged the tyre in the station for checking tyres and prior tocarrying said at least one sensor within the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to disengage the grip member from the tyrewhile the tyre is retained by the grip elements, after having engagedthe radially outer portion of the tyre with the grip elements of theoverturning device and prior to overturning the tyre by 180°.

Preferably, it is provided to engage an opposite bead of the tyre withsaid grip member, after having overturned the tyre by 180° and prior toonce again carrying said at least one sensor within the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to disengage the grip elements from theradially outer portion of the tyre.

In this way, the correct position of the tyre is obtained, because thetyre is not free to move in the station, but is retained by the gripmember or by the grip elements.

Preferably, it is provided to rotate a rotary device carrying the gripmember and the tyre around a rotation axis of the tyre while the firstchecks are executed on the inner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, it is provided to stop the rotation of the rotary device andof the tyre, after having executed the checks on the inner surface ofthe tyre and prior to engaging the radially outer portion of the tyrewith the grip elements.

Preferably, it is provided to once again rotate the rotary device andthe tyre around the rotation axis of the tyre while the second checksare executed on the inner surface of the tyre.

The rotation of the tyre around its rotation axis allows executing thechecks while keeping the sensors fixed and keeping the space occupied bythe tyre unchanged.

Preferably, after placing the tyre in the station for checking tyres andprior to carrying said at least one sensor within the tyre, apreliminary centring of the tyre along a transverse direction isprovided.

Preferably, the preliminary centring is executed by symmetrically andsimultaneously moving a first grip element and a second grip element ofthe overturning device until they are brought against diametricallyopposed areas of the radially outer portion of the tyre while the tyrerests on an abutment plane and subsequently spacing the first gripelement and the second grip element from the tyre.

In other words, the gripper is self-centring and the tyre is moved onthe abutment plane by centring itself along the transverse direction.This solution allows executing the preliminary centring in the directionorthogonal to the advancement on tyres of different shapes anddimensions, the preliminary centring in the direction of advancementbeing carried out as illustrated above.

Preferably, engaging the bead or engaging the opposite bead of the tyrewith the grip member includes: executing a fine centring of the tyre bymaking the rotation axis of the tyre coincide with a central axis of thegrip member.

When the gripper engages the bead, it also executes the centring.

Preferably, engaging the bead or engaging the opposite bead of the tyrewith the grip member comprises: simultaneously and symmetrically movingat least three projections of the grip member from a contractedposition, in which they lie close to each other and close to the centralaxis of the grip member, into a grip position, in which said at leastthree projections lie spaced from each other and equidistant from thecentral axis of the grip member up to carrying said projections incontact with the bead so as to make the central axis coincide with therotation axis of the tyre.

The three projections are self-centring and move symmetrically andsimultaneously along preferably radial directions of the tyre so as tocause the centring thereof.

Preferably, after locking the tyre on the grip member and beforecarrying out the first checks on the inner surface of the tyre, it isprovided to raise the tyre from the abutment plane.

Preferably, bringing said at least one sensor within the tyre comprises:lowering a mechanical arm, wherein said at least one sensor is placed atone end of the mechanical arm.

The lifting of the tyre allows limiting the stroke of the mechanical armand the dimensions of the structure necessary to obtain it.

Preferably, executing the first and second checks on the inner surfaceof the tyre includes: executing optical scans of the inner surface ofthe tyre through said at least one sensor.

Preferably, the method comprises: executing first and second checks onan outer surface of the tyre by at least one auxiliary sensor mounted onthe support structure.

Preferably, executing the first and second checks on the outer surfaceof the tyre includes: executing optical scans of the outer surface ofthe tyre through said at least one auxiliary sensor.

Preferably, the first checks on the inner surface and the first checkson the outer surface are carried out simultaneously.

Preferably, the second checks on the inner surface and the second checkson the outer surface are carried out simultaneously.

Preferably, it is provided to read an identification code of the tyre,preferably a bar code, by means of a scanner mounted on the supportstructure, preferably simultaneously with the first checks orsimultaneously with the second checks.

Preferably, the first checks are executed on a first half of the tyreand the second checks are executed on a second half of the tyre.

Preferably, engaging the radially outer portion of the tyre with gripelements comprises: symmetrically and simultaneously closing a first armcarrying a first grip element and a second arm carrying a second gripelement of the overturning device on the tyre.

Preferably, overturning the tyre by 180° comprises: causing the 180°rotation of the first grip element with respect to the first arm and/orcausing the 180° rotation of the second grip element with respect to thesecond arm.

Preferably, before overturning the tyre by 180°, it is provided tofurther raise the tyre with respect to the abutment plane.

Preferably, before engaging the opposite heel of the tyre, it isprovided to lower the tyre towards the abutment plane.

Preferably, arranging a tyre in the station for checking tyrescomprises: inserting the tyre through an inlet of the station forchecking tyres making it advance along an advancement direction and onan abutment plane of said station.

Preferably, during the insertion, the method comprises: detecting adiameter and an axial dimension of the tyre.

Preferably, detecting a diameter and an axial size of the tyrecomprises: making the tyre transit through an optical barrier arrangedthrough the inlet.

Preferably, arranging the tyre in the station for checking tyrescomprises: performing a preliminary centring of the tyre along theadvancement direction.

Preferably, executing the preliminary centring of the tyre along theadvancement direction comprises: stopping the advancing of the tyre as afunction of the detected diameter.

Preferably, the station for checking tyres according to the presentinvention is a stand-alone station.

Preferably, the station for checking tyres according to the presentinvention is configured for executing low-definition checks.

Preferably, the station for checking tyres according to the presentinvention is configured for executing high-definition checks.

Further features and advantages will appear more clearly from thedetailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of astation for checking tyres according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Such description is given hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, provided only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limitingpurposes, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an apparatus for checking tyres comprising astation for checking tyres according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an overall three-dimensional view of the station forchecking tyres in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the three-dimensional view of FIG. 2 with some partsremoved to better highlight others;

FIG. 4 shows an element of the station shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in anoperating configuration;

FIG. 5 shows the element in FIG. 4 in a different operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 5A shows the element in FIG. 4 in a further different operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 6 shows a further element of the station shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 inan operating configuration;

FIG. 7 shows the element in FIG. 6 in a different operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged part of the element in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 shows the view in FIG. 2 with further parts removed to highlighta further element in an operating configuration;

FIG. 10 shows the element in FIG. 9 in a different operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged part of the element in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 shows a further enlargement of the element in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 shows a different enlarged part of the element in FIGS. 9 and10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 globally indicates anapparatus for checking tyres. The apparatus 1 is configured forexecuting a plurality of non-destructive tests on the tyres 2 arrivingfrom a production plant, not shown.

The production plant comprises a production line of tyres consisting ofa building apparatus of green tyres and at least one moulding andvulcanisation unit operatively arranged downstream of the buildingapparatus.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the building apparatus comprises a carcassbuilding line, at which forming drums are moved between differentdelivery stations of semi-finished products arranged to form a carcasssleeve on each forming drum. At the same time, in an outer sleevebuilding line, one or more auxiliary drums are sequentially movedbetween different stations arranged to form an outer sleeve on eachauxiliary drum. The building apparatus further comprises an assemblingstation at which the outer sleeve is coupled to the carcass sleeve.

In other embodiments of the production plant, the building apparatus maybe of different type, for example designed to form all of the abovecomponents on a single drum.

The built tyres 2 are finally transferred to the moulding andvulcanisation unit.

From the production line, in particular, from the moulding andvulcanisation unit, the finished tyres 2 exit sequentially one after theother with a predefined rate and a corresponding predefined productioncycle time.

The apparatus 1 for checking the tyres 2 is located immediatelydownstream of the production line and is configured for executing thenon-destructive tests after the moulding and vulcanisation of said tyres2.

The apparatus 1 for checking the tyres 2 comprises a station 3 forchecking tyres 2 configured for executing a preliminary andlow-definition check of the tyres 2 themselves. The apparatus 1 forchecking the tyres 2 further comprises a first check unit 4, a secondcheck unit 5 and an overturning and transport device 6 operativelyinterposed between the first check unit 4 and the second check unit 5.The first check unit 4 and the second check unit 5 are configured forexecuting a plurality of high-definition checks on respective halves ofthe tyres 2. The first check unit 4, the second check unit 5 and theoverturning and transport device 6 define a check path configured so asto be traversed by pitches by each tyre 2. According to the embodimentillustrated schematically in FIG. 1, the first check unit 4 and thesecond check unit 5 comprise a plurality of high-definition checkingstations 7 (three stations for each unit in the illustrated example). Ineach of the high-definition checking stations 7 of the first check unit4, a tyre 2 rests on a respective sidewall and a half thereof issubjected to high-definition checks, by means of a first plurality ofchecking tools, while the tyre 2 is rotated about its own rotation axisZ. In each of the high-definition checking stations 7 of the secondcheck unit 5, the tyre 2 rests on an opposite side and the other half ofthe tyre 2 is subjected to the high-definition checks, by means of arespective second plurality of checking tools, while the tyre 2 isrotated about its own rotation axis Z′.

The station 3 for checking tyres 2 is located upstream of the firstcheck unit 4 and is adjacent to an inlet of the tyres 2 in said firstcheck unit 4.

The station 3 for checking tyres 2 is illustrated in greater detail inFIGS. 2 and 3. The station 3 for checking tyres 2 comprises a supportstructure 8 consisting of a frame comprising four uprights connected byupper and lower cross members. The support structure 8 has a lowerportion configured for resting on the ground and an upper portion.

Within the support structure 8, a motorised roller conveyor 9 is mountedwhich defines a horizontal abutment plane configured for supporting atyre 2 resting on one of the sidewalls thereof. The abutment plane istherefore perpendicular to the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2.

The motorised roller conveyor 9 comprises a plurality of driven rollersrotating about respective axes and defining an advancement direction Aperpendicular to the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2 when it is restingon the rollers. The motorised roller conveyor 9 allows the tyre 2 to bemoved along the advancement direction A to be loaded into the station 3or unloaded from the station 3. In an alternative embodiment notillustrated, the movable abutment plane is defined by one or moreconveyor belts.

Between the upper portion of the support structure 8 and the motorisedroller conveyor 9, an operating space 10 is defined that is configuredfor receiving, moving and checking one tyre 2 at a time. The operatingspace 10 is therefore delimited between the abutment plane and the upperportion. Finally, the abutment plane faces the operating space 10.

First two uprights of the four uprights of the support structure 8delimit an inlet 11 for the tyre 2 and the remaining two uprights definean outlet 12 for the tyre 2.

A measuring device is configured for measuring a diameter D and an axialdimension W of the tyre 2. The measuring device comprises an emitter 13of electromagnetic waves, preferably falling in a band comprising theinfrared, the visible light and the ultraviolet, even more preferably ofthe laser type, and a receiver 14 configured for generating an opticalbarrier through the inlet 11. The emitter 13 and the receiver 14 aremounted on the first two uprights and are facing each other. The emitter13 and the receiver 14 have a vertical extension such as generate alaser beam lying in a vertical plane and extending between said twofirst uprights. The laser beam constitutes the optical barrier,extending vertically in height starting substantially from the abutmentplane and having a height greater than or equal to the maximum axialdimension W of the tyre 2 to be checked. The vertical plane in which thelaser beam lies, that is, the optical barrier, is thereforeperpendicular to the advancement direction A and parallel to therotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2.

The measuring device comprises an electronic management system connectedto the emitter 13 and to the receiver 14 and connected to a motor, notshown, which determines the rotation of the driven rollers of themotorised roller conveyor 9. Knowing the advancement speed of the tyre2, i.e. the rotation speed of the rollers, the measuring device detectsthe diameter D of the tyre 2 as a function of the time elapsing betweenwhen the tyre 2, which enters through the inlet 11, intercepts for thefirst time the optical barrier and when it comes out completely from theoptical barrier, i.e. when the tyre 2 has completed its entrance intothe station 3, is housed in the operating space 10 and firmly supportedon the abutment plane.

The electronic management system also allows detecting the maximumpercentage of the optical barrier which intercepts the tyre 2 while thetyre 2 passes therethrough and calculates the axial dimension W of thetyre 2 itself.

According to a method for checking tyres according to the invention, theelectronic management system, which is preferably the management systemof the whole station 3, controls the motorised roller conveyor 9 in sucha way as to stop the driven rollers when the rotation axis Z′ of thetyre 2 reaches a central axis Z of the station 3 (FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 5A),or so as to execute a preliminary centring of the tyre 2 along theadvancement direction A.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the abutment plane has an opening 15configured for allowing the passage of a grip member 16. Some of thedriven rollers are missing and others are divided into two halves so asto give the opening 15 a cross shape.

The grip member 16 comprises (FIGS. 4, 5, 5A) four support arms 17. Thesupport arms 17 are horizontal and angularly equidistant, that is tosay, arranged in a cross pattern. The opening 15 is thereforecounter-shaped to the grip member 16.

Each of the support arms 17 carries a respective projection 18 whichextends vertically and is movable and guided along the respective arm 17by means of a respective actuator, not shown. The grip member 16 ismounted on a rotating device 19 around the central vertical axis Z andcoinciding with a centre of the cross. The rotary device 19 is rotatedby a motor 20 and is configured for rotating the grip member 16 aroundthe central axis Z.

The four projections 18 are parallel to the central axis Z and aremovable along the arms 17 between a contracted position (FIG. 5), inwhich they lie close to each other and close to said central axis Z, anda gripping position (FIG. 4), in which they lie spaced apart at the endsof the arms 17, and equally spaced from the central axis Z.

The grip member 16 is also movable in vertical translation, i.e. alongits own central axis Z. In particular, the rotary device 19 is installedon a support element 21 movable along vertical guides 22 and moved by arespective first actuator 23.

The aforementioned vertical translation allows moving the grip member 16between a lowered rest position (FIG. 5A), in which it lies retractedinto the opening 15 and below the abutment plane, and at least oneraised operating position (FIGS. 4 and 5), in which it protrudes fromthe opening 15.

The grip member 16 is therefore operative within the operating space 10and is configured for supporting the tyre 2 while said grip member 16 isin said operating space 10. In particular, the grip member 16 isconfigured for engaging a bead of the tyre 2 and in this way lock thetyre 2. In particular, when the four projections 18 are in the grippingposition, in which they lie spaced apart at the ends of the arms 17,they are able to engage a radially inner edge of one of the beads of thetyre 2 so as to retain said tyre 2. The grip member 16 is also capableof supporting the tyre 2 resting on the arms 17.

The station 3 for checking tyres 2 comprises an overturning device 24(FIGS. 9-13) having a first grip element 25 and a second grip element26, configured for engaging a radially outer portion of the tyre 2. Theoverturning device 24 is a gripper comprising a first arm 27 and asecond arm 28 movable in mutual approaching or moving apart. The firstgrip element 25 is mounted so as to be capable of rotating by 180° on arespective end of the first arm 27 and the second grip element 26 ismounted so as to be capable of rotating by 180° on a respective end ofthe second arm 28. The first grip member 25 and the second grip member26 rotate about a common overturning axis Y (FIG. 11). The overturningaxis Y is perpendicular to the advancement direction A and to thecentral axis Z. In the illustrated embodiment, the first grip element 25is moved around the overturning axis Y by a second actuator 29. Thesecond grip element 26 is free to rotate on the second arm 28 and isdriven in rotation by the tyre 2 held between the first grip element 25and the second grip element 26. The second grip element 26 is connectedto a rotation detector 30 mounted on the second arm 28. In theillustrated embodiment (FIG. 13), the rotation detector 30 comprises apneumatic actuator 31 mounted on the second arm 28 and connected to thesecond grip element 25 by means of a gear-rack pair 32. The gear iscoaxial to the overturning axis Y and rotates with the first gripelement 25. The rack is mounted on one end of a rod of the pneumaticactuator 31 and is engaged with the gear.

Each of said first grip element 25 and second grip element 26 comprisesa pair of reciprocally spaced cylinders 33 configured for abuttingagainst the radially outer portion of the tyre 2 with its own axesparallel to the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2 itself. The two cylinders33 are mounted on a plate hinged to the respective first arm 27 orsecond arm 28 about the overturning axis Y.

The first arm 27 and the second arm 28 are movable towards or away fromone another by means of their translation on a horizontal guide 34 andby means of a dedicated actuator, not shown. The overturning device istherefore constrained to one side of the frame and the gripper extendscantilever from said side of the frame. The horizontal guide 34 ismounted on vertical guides 35 placed on two of the vertical uprights. Athird actuator 36 allows the gripper to be moved on the vertical guides35 and along a direction parallel to the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2.

The overturning device is operative within the operating space 10, abovethe abutment plane, and is configured for overturning the tyre 2 aroundthe overturning axis Y while the tyre is in said operating space 10.

The station 3 for checking tyres 2 comprises a checking device 37configured for performing checks on an inner and outer surface of thetyre 2 housed in the operating space 10.

The checking device 37 comprises a mechanical arm 38 connected to theupper portion of the support structure 8. The mechanical arm 38 isoperatively active within the operating space 10 and protrudes towardsthe abutment plane. The mechanical arm 38 has a lower end which carriesa sensor 39 comprising a camera and an emitter of electromagnetic waves,preferably falling in a band comprising the infrared, the visible lightand the ultraviolet, even more preferably of the laser type, configuredfor detecting low-definition 3D images (for example between about 0.3 mmand about 5 mm) which have the purpose of carrying out a preliminarycheck of the inner surface of the tyre 2. For example, this sensor 39 isa Gocator™ of LMI Technologies™. The mechanical arm 38 is mounted on arespective vertical guide 40 which in turn is carried by a carriage 41movable on respective horizontal guides 42. A fourth actuator 43 allowsmoving the arm 38 and the sensor 39 along a horizontal directionperpendicular to the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2. A fifth actuator 44allows moving the arm 38 and the sensor 39 along a vertical directionparallel to the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2.

The checking device 37 comprises one auxiliary sensor 45 (FIGS. 6 and 7)configured for executing checks on the outer surface of the tyre 2housed in the operating space 10. The auxiliary sensor 45 is mountedfixedly on the upper portion of the support structure 8 and faces theabutment plane. The auxiliary sensor 45 comprises a camera and anemitter of electromagnetic waves, preferably falling in a bandcomprising the infrared, the visible light and the ultraviolet, evenmore preferably of the laser type, configured for detectinglow-definition 3D images (for example between about 0.3 mm and about 5mm) which have the purpose of carrying out a preliminary check of theouter surface of the tyre 2. For example, this sensor is also a Gocator™from LMI Technologies™.

The checking device 37 comprises a bar code scanner 46, configured forreading a code on the tyre 2. The bar code scanner 46 is also fixedlymounted on the upper portion of the support structure 8 and faces theabutment plane.

The checking device 37, as well as the overturning device 24, is locatedabove the gripping member 16 and above the motorised roller conveyor 9,i.e. the abutment plane.

According to the method for checking tyres according to the presentinvention, a tyre 2, coming for example from the moulding andvulcanisation unit of the tyre production line, is arranged in thestation 3 for checking tyres making it transit through the inlet 11along the advancement direction A (with a sidewall thereof resting onthe abutment plane defined by the roller conveyor 9) through themotorised movement of the rollers of said roller conveyor 9.

During the insertion in the station 3, it is provided to detect thediameter D and the axial dimension W of the tyre 2 by means of thepreviously described measuring device. Furthermore, the preliminarycentring of the tyre 2 along the advancement direction A is carried out.

Once the tyre 2 is stationary on the roller conveyor 9 with its ownrotation axis Z′ placed in the proximity of the central axis Z of thestation 3, the gripper is lowered and the first arm 27 and the secondarm 28 are closed symmetrically and simultaneously on the tyre 2, untilthe first grip element 25 and the second grip element 26 are broughtagainst diametrically opposed areas of the radially outer portion of thetyre 2 while the tyre 2 rests on the abutment plane. Subsequently, thefirst grip member 25 and the second grip member 26 are removed from thetyre 2. In this way, the tyre 2 is centred along a transverse directionK horizontal and perpendicular to the advancement direction A. Thegripper is therefore self-centring and the tyre 2 is displaced bysliding it onto the abutment plane.

In this step, the tyre 2 rests on the roller conveyor 9 and is locatedabove the opening 15 of the roller conveyor 9 and above the grip member16 while the grip member 16 is retracted in said opening 15.

The grip member 16 is partially lifted up to bring its four projections18 to protrude beyond the abutment plane and place them in a radiallyinner position with respect to the bead of the tyre 2 placed near theroller conveyor 9. The four projections 18 are raised while in theircontracted position. Subsequently, the four projections 18 of the gripmember 16 are displaced simultaneously and symmetrically from thecontracted position to the gripping position, until they are in contactwith the bead. The four projections 18 exert a radial thrust on the beadtowards the outside of the tyre 2, locking the tyre 2 on the grip member16 and executing a fine centring, so as to make the central axis Z ofthe grip member 16 coincide with the rotation axis Z′ of the tyre 2.Then, when the grip member 16 engages the bead, it also executes thefine centring of the tyre 2.

The grip member 16 is raised further so as to raise the tyre 2 from theabutment plane. The mechanical arm 38 brings the sensor 39 within thetyre 2 while the tyre 2 is in the raised position. In particular, thesensor 39, which was located at the upper portion of the supportstructure 8, is moved along a direction parallel to the advancementdirection A and downwards until it enters within the tyre 2.

Once the sensor 39 has been positioned and the mechanical arm 38 isstopped, the rotary device 19 is rotated by rotating the tyre 2 by about370° while the sensor 39 executes first checks, in particular by meansof a 3D optical scan, of a first half of the inner surface of the tyre2, the auxiliary sensor 45 executes first checks, in particular by meansof a 3D optical scan, of a first half of the outer surface of the tyre2. The bar code scanner 46 reads, if present, a bar code carried by thesidewall of the tyre 2 facing upwards. The bar code contains, forexample, identification data of the tyre 2.

Once the first checks of a first half of the tyre 2 have been completed,the mechanical arm 38 provides to extract the sensor 39 from the tyre 2and to move it away from the tyre 2 itself. At the same time, justbefore or shortly thereafter, the gripper is again moved by lowering itand closing the first arm 27 and the second arm 28 until the radiallyouter portion of the tyre 2 is engaged with the first grip element 25and the second grip element 26. At this point, while the tyre 2 issupported by the gripper, the grip member 16 is disengaged from the beadof the tyre 2 causing the projections 18 to contract and lowering thegrip member 16 until it is retracted into the opening 15. When not inuse, the grip member 16 is taken out of the operating space 10 to allowthe tyre 2 to overturn without interference.

The tyre 2 is further raised by the gripper and then overturned by 180°about the overturning axis Y by rotating the first grip element 25 andthe second grip element 26. In particular, the second actuator 29rotates the first grip element 25 and the tyre 2 while the second gripelement 26 is driven in rotation by the tyre 2 itself. The rotationdetector 30 verifies that the 180° rotation imparted by the secondactuator 29 is that actually performed by the second grip element 26 andthen by the tyre 2.

Once the overturning has been performed, the gripper with the tyre 2 arelowered and the grip member 16 is again raised to engage an oppositebead of the tyre 2 and lock the tyre 2. While the overturned tyre 2 issupported by the grip member 16, the first grip member 25 and the secondgrip member 26 are moved away from the radially outer portion of thetyre 2 and the gripper is raised again. At the same time, just before orshortly thereafter, the mechanical arm 38 returns the sensor 39 withinthe tyre 2 while the tyre 2 is in the raised position. Once the sensor39 has been positioned and the mechanical arm 38 is stopped, the rotarydevice 19 is rotated by rotating the tyre 2 by about 370° while thesensor 39 executes second checks, in particular by means of a 3D opticalscan, of a second half of the inner surface of the tyre 2, the auxiliarysensor 45 executes second checks, in particular by means of a 3D opticalscan, of a second half of the outer surface of the tyre 2 and the barcode scanner 46 reads, if it has not done so previously, the bar codecarried by the sidewall of the tyre 2 facing upwards.

At the end of the inspection of the second half of the tyre 2, therotation is terminated, the sensor 39 is withdrawn and removed from thetyre 2, the grip member 16 is lowered and the projections 18 broughtinto the contracted position, so as to release the tyre 2 and rest it onthe roller conveyor 9.

The roller conveyor 9 can therefore be started to cause the tyre 2 toexit from the outlet 12 and to let another tyre 2 to be checked enter.

The complete and low definition preliminary analysis performed instation 3 for checking tyres allows knowing with certainty the size andshape of the tyre 2 to prepare it for the high definition checkdownstream of said station 3.

The tyres 2 coming out one after the other from the station 3 forchecking tyres 2, if suitable, are fed in succession in the first checkunit 4 and then in the second check unit 5 where the high-definitionchecks are performed.

According to a process for checking tyres according to the presentinvention, a first half of each tyre 2 is checked by executing aplurality of high-definition checks along a first part of the check pathcorresponding to the first check unit 4, a second half of said tyre 2 ischecked, after the overturning performed in the overturning andtransport device 6, by performing the same plurality of high-definitionchecks along the second part of the check path corresponding to thesecond check unit 5.

If, following the first and second preliminary low-definition checkscarried out in station 3, a tyre 2 is non-compliant, it is discardedwithout passing through the first check unit 4 and the second check unit5, or causing it to transit but without executing the high definitionchecks as it could compromise the check tools of said first check unit 4and second check unit 5.

In embodiments not shown, the station 3 for checking tyres according tothe present invention is a stand-alone station, that is, it is notplaced upstream of further check units and can be used, with appropriatesensors, to execute low-definition checks and/or high-definition checks.For example, one or more of the sensors described above may beintegrated/replaced with sensors that allow the acquisition ofhigh-definition images for the purpose of executing a high-definitioncheck of the tyre 2.

1.-33. (canceled)
 34. A method for checking tyres, comprising: arranging a tyre in a station for checking tyres; moving at least one sensor within the tyre; performing first checks on an inner surface of the tyre with the at least one sensor; engaging a radially outer portion of the tyre with grip elements of an overturning device; extracting the at least one sensor from the tyre and spacing the at least one sensor from the tyre; overturning the tyre by 180° by rotation of the grip elements around an overturning axis perpendicular to a rotation axis of the tyre; moving again the at least one sensor within the tyre; performing second checks on the inner surface of the tyre with the at least one sensor; extracting again the at least one sensor from the tyre and spacing the at least one sensor from the tyre; and transporting the tyre outside the station for checking tyres.
 35. The method of claim 34, comprising: after the arranging and before the moving, engaging a bead of the tyre with a grip member to lock the tyre on the grip member; after the engaging and before the overturning, disengaging the grip member from the tyre while the tyre is retained by the grip elements; after the overturning and before the moving again, engaging an opposite bead of the tyre with the grip member; and disengaging the grip elements from the radially outer portion of the tyre.
 36. The method of claim 35, comprising: rotating a rotary device carrying the grip member and the tyre around a rotation axis of the tyre while the first checks are executed on the inner surface of the tyre; stopping rotation of the rotary device and of the tyre, after having performed the checks on the inner surface of the tyre and prior to engaging the radially outer portion of the tyre with the grip elements; and rotating again the rotary device and the tyre around the rotation axis of the tyre while the second checks are being performed on the inner surface of the tyre.
 37. The method of claim 36, comprising: after the arranging and before the moving, performing a preliminary centring of the tyre along a transverse direction by symmetrically and simultaneously moving a first grip element and a second grip element of the overturning device up to bringing the first grip element and the second grip element against diametrically opposite zones of the radially outer portion of the tyre while the tyre abuts against an abutment plane and subsequently spacing the first grip element and the second grip element from the tyre.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein engaging the bead of the tyre with the grip member or engaging the opposite bead of the tyre with the grip member comprises: simultaneously and symmetrically moving at least three projections of the grip member from a contracted position, in which the at least three projections lie close to each other and close to a central axis of the grip member, into a grip position, in which the at least three projections lie spaced from each other and equidistant from the central axis of the grip member up to putting the at least three projections in contact with the bead to coincide the central axis with a rotation axis of the tyre.
 39. The method of claim 35, comprising, after having locked the tyre on the grip member and prior to performing the first checks on the inner surface of the tyre: lifting the tyre from an abutment plane, wherein moving said at least one sensor within the tyre comprises: lowering a mechanical arm, said at least one sensor being placed at one end of the mechanical arm.
 40. The method of claim 39, comprising: performing first and second checks on an outer surface of the tyre by at least one auxiliary sensor mounted on the support structure, wherein the first checks on the inner surface and the first checks on the outer surface are simultaneously performed and wherein the second checks on the inner surface and the second checks on the outer surface are simultaneously performed.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein performing the first and the second checks on the inner surface of the tyre comprises: performing an optical scanning of the inner surface of the tyre by the at least one sensor, wherein performing the first and the second checks on the outer surface of the tyre comprises: performing an optical scanning of the outer surface of the tyre by the at least one auxiliary sensor.
 42. The method of claim 41, comprising: reading an identification code of the tyre by a scanner mounted on the support structure, the reading occurring simultaneously with the first checks or simultaneously with the second checks.
 43. The method of claim 39, comprising: prior to the overturning, further lifting the tyre with respect to an abutment plane; and prior to the engaging the opposite bead of the tyre, lowering the tyre towards the abutment plane.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the arranging comprises: inserting the tyre though an inlet of the station for checking tyres by advancing the tyre along an advancement direction and on an abutment plane of the station for checking tyres, wherein during the inserting the method comprises: detecting a diameter and an axial size of the tyre by transiting the tyre through an optical barrier arranged through the inlet.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the arranging comprises: performing a preliminary centring of the tyre along the advancement direction by stopping an advancing of the tyre as a function of the detected diameter.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the first checks are performed on a first half of the tyre and the second checks are performed on a second half of the tyre.
 47. A process for checking tyres comprising: simultaneously advancing, by pitches, tyres along a check path and checking the tyres during time intervals occurring between subsequent pitches; wherein for each tyre, the method further comprises: checking at least one first half of the tyre by performing a plurality of high-definition checks along a first part of the check path; overturning the tyre around an overturning axis after exit from the first part of the check path; conducting the tyre to an inlet of a second part of the check path; and checking at least one second half of the tyre by performing a corresponding plurality of high-definition checks along the second part of the check path, and wherein, prior to entrance into the first part of the check path, the method further comprises: performing a preliminary low-definition check in accordance with the method of claim
 34. 